5 Things You Must Do Before Moving to Boonton, NJ

1. Walk Main Street — At Different Times of Day

Boonton’s heartbeat is its Main Street. But here’s the trick: you have to see it morning, afternoon, and evening.

Coffee shops buzz at 8AM. Antique stores and art galleries hum on weekends.

Local bars and live music heat up at night. If you don’t love Main Street, you won’t love Boonton.

2. Check the Parking—Especially on Weekends

We love our small-town charm, but that charm brings weekend crowds. Free municipal lots and street parking fill fast during events.

Before you buy, test your street’s parking situation. Some streets get jammed. Some stay peaceful. It matters more than you think.   

Key lots are upper Plane St, Boonton Ave, and Corneila St lots. 

3. Get to Know Boonton’s Weird Schedule

Boonton marches to its own beat:

• Bulk pickup? Monthly and it’s early.

• Recycling? Every other week, not weekly.

• Downtown events? They’ll block streets on random days.

  Download the Boonton Town App or follow the town’s Facebook for alerts or risk getting towed.

4. Talk to Your Future Neighbors — They Know Everything

Boonton has neighborhoods within neighborhoods. There’s a big difference between Hill St. and Cornelia.

Some are walkable to town. Some aren’t. Some have annual block parties. Some call the cops over a leaf blower.

Knock on doors. Locals will tell you everything—good, bad, and legendary.

5. Try the Commute—Twice

If you’re leaving town at 7:30 AM, Route 287 and 202 are a different beast than at 9:00. Test your commute during rush hour.

Or take the train from Boonton Station into Hoboken or NYC. Realistic commute = long-term happiness.

Bonus: This Isn’t Just a Move. It’s a Mindset.

Boonton is quirky, tight-knit, creative, and historic. If you want shiny strip malls and cookie-cutter homes, this isn’t your town.

But if you love charm with an edge, walkable community, and small-town vibes with city access — welcome home.